"I'm sorry you came all the way here."
Rufus greets me politely.
"Yeah, it's me, it's been a long time...."
"No, I've been busy and I've spent a lot of time..."
The seat was advanced in the man-paid dock and the waist was lowered.
Ever since the Fahn Forest case, I've been asked to sit down for a discussion, but I haven't had much time and it's been so late.
The place was left to me, so I've only been here once before, in a room in the Duke of Avalon's mansion.
If Rufus Avalon were to visit us, his uncle would be there, and Max would be noisy. Outside, I'm surrounded by guards, so I can't keep quiet.
I was somehow taken care of by Rufus, and I was worried about him, so I wanted this kind of opportunity once. Above all, it is also ideal for magic training magic replenishers, so I really want to ask you to do the same.
Currently, there is no time for Chiaran to cooperate, and it is a burden on Max. You should have at least one trusted ally.
Well, first of all, let's take a routine sermon, and then we'll reopen our hearts. Because we really have to reopen it.
In a situation like the one before, we can't drag people into a safe zone. If I had done that, I wouldn't have made it.
I'm sure that if anything happens in the future, it will be more dangerous than ever. That's why I won't make a promise I can't make anymore.
"Ah, thank you for helping me last time. You haven't thanked me yet."
Facing each other from the front, I noticed. Last time at the scene, I just broke up in a mess.
"No, it's my job. Besides....."
Oops, you're here. Before you scold me, I'll apologize first.
"I'm sorry."
It was Rufus who cut it out with an apology. I don't know what it means, but I round my eyes.
"Why would Rufus apologize? I'm the one who broke my promise."
"I've forced you to make a promise you can't make."
I didn't hate it, but I went ahead with what I was supposed to say with a mix of giving up and reflection.
"I understand from the previous incident. It would be pointless to ask you not to jump into danger. Sometimes you had to prioritize your own safety? No matter how much you intend to live as a Gladys, there's no way you can escape with a strange face when someone's life is at stake. I'm sure it was going to be a lot harder than it was at the tournament.
Before my excuses, Rufus knew everything. I'm unexpectedly unconscious that you understand.
"Yeah. If I'd just run away like that, I wouldn't be able to get it back. I'm sure there's something going on ahead. Rufus would be very helpful if he followed me."
"Then...."
Rufus stood up and circled around to me. He looked straight at me and knelt.
"Will you marry me?
He took my hand and said so.
There you are - smiling bitterly inside.
"Didn't you refrain from being a teacher?
"There is no good sense that we should protect you until we put you at risk. Priority is set. I want you to stand up for me with dignity."
It's just a sincere offer.
Just a few days ago, when I got lost thinking about marriage, it was really a boat offer...
"Rufus, you don't have to bet your life like that. I'd love to get married anyway."
"Can't you love me?
"Rufus isn't love either, is he?
Rufus has a complicated look as he answers the question.
"Certainly, I can't forget that you were a Zachariah teacher. No matter how much you tell yourself that you are Gladys now, you can't think of Gladys separately from your teacher. Honestly, I don't know that dimension anymore. It's just that you're really important to me. I want to protect you closest from all dangers."
I know how frankly you communicate your thoughts.
I'm so glad you think so. The teacher's chest gets hot when he's meditative. But...
"I can't think separately, either. Even if you become such a fine young man, I can't forget that you were such a lovely teacher. I don't want to make you unhappy by marrying without love."
Rufus laughed a little lonely, perhaps predicting the answer from the beginning to my categorical refusal.
"I never thought the day would come when I would regret being your teacher. If this were the case, I should have taken your proposal on the day we met again."
Trying to make a joke out of the sinking air. In order to blow up Rufus' concerns even a little, I dared to go with a confident expression.
"I have some good reports. I'm not surprisingly helpless."
I borrowed a little magic from Rufus using his hands.
Immediately after the light and magic formation, Rufus and I were moving to a different place.
"--This is...."
Quite astonished, Rufus looks around.
The transfer was just where Rufus and the others helped us in the Fahn Forest.
Only the two of us are in the middle of a deep tree with no sign of people at all. Now that everything's done, there's no need to worry about anyone seeing it.
"It's quite limited, but since then, I've been able to use magic there. Don't mistake me for Grace, okay?
Rufus, who had opened his eyes to me and smiled at what he had done, eventually burst out.
"Absolutely, you... really surprise me all the time. --But...."
The color that looks at a troubled child comes to your eyes.
"--Eh!?
Rufus pulled his hips and hugged him.
"You are too alarmed. I can't believe you brought me here. If I were a bad man, I'd be in trouble.
The tone was quiet, but the strength of the arm was so strong that it couldn't be removed. I've never been touched like this by Rufus.
A cute six-year-old boy had become a very powerful adult man.
I didn't feel dangerous, but my heart didn't grow high.
"Isn't this what bad guys do?
"Of course, it's just a joke. Excuse me."
Rufus immediately let me go and looked at me with a serious look.
"You're just too defenseless for someone you trust. Be vigilant no matter who you're dealing with, no matter what magic you can use."
It seems that we will eventually reach the sermon. I desperately suppressed Rufus' concern that my eyes were about to get hot.
"- Yeah, they often say that. I'm sorry I don't have the ability to learn.... let's go home."
"Yes"
He took Rufus's hand as if nothing had happened and returned to the original docking room.
- Rufus, I'm sorry.
While continuing the conversation with a smile, I apologize in my heart.
When I was hugged, I decided to pretend that I didn't realize that Rufus's chest was beating so fast.